{
  "id": 1100097,
  "title": "All Blacks slaughter underdone Bulls as Kiwis start to click before first Springboks test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/all-blacks-slaughter-underdone-bulls-as-kiwis-start-to-click-before",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-15T19:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/rugby/urc/2026-08-15-all-blacks-slaughter-underdone-bulls-as-they-start-to-click-before-first-springboks-test/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a dominant display at Loftus Versfeld, the All Blacks crushed the Bulls 50–19, marking their first victory over a South African team ahead of their impending Test against the Springboks. Three encounters with the Bulls, Stormers, and Sharks left New Zealand fans pondering their readiness for the big step-up to Test rugby. The Stormers and Sharks posed challenges to the All Blacks' scrum, while the Bulls presented none. However, the URC sides found it tough to handle the Kiwis' rapid and precise offloading play. The electrifying atmosphere at Loftus Versfeld saw the Bulls' lighting partners, Afrison, provide a spectacular light show, while the anthems stirred the Pretoria crowd. Both teams came tantalizingly close to scoring in the opening 10 minutes, with the All Blacks ultimately claiming the first try through winger Josh Moorby. Beauden Barrett missed the conversion, leaving the crowd roaring. New Zealand grabbed another early try, this time through a spectacular display from new Bulls recruit Hanro Liebenberg. However, a knock-on resulted in a try being ruled out. On the half-hour mark, Bulls prop Francois Klopper was shown a yellow card for deliberate offside. From a subsequent penalty, the All Blacks opted for a scrum near the Bulls’ line, a strategic move due to their superior scrummaging abilities. Captain Codie Taylor capitalized on a quick tap penalty to score New Zealand's second try, leaving the Bulls reeling at 24–0 at halftime. The Bulls scored first after the break courtesy of lock Ruan Vermaak. But the All Blacks responded almost immediately with a try by right wing Leroy Carter. Quick hands, slick passing, and lightning-fast offloading saw the All Blacks capitalize, with wing Rieko Ioane scoring their sixth try. By the 45-minute mark, the scoreline was 43–12 in New Zealand's favor, despite the Bulls' efforts. Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee added a third try for his team, bringing the score to 43–19. A late try from Wallace Sititi completed the comprehensive victory, as the All Blacks reached the 50-point mark and sealed the game with a 50–19 win.",
  "summary": "Codie Taylor and Leroy Carter both crossed for braces as the All Blacks put 50 points past the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "All Blacks run in eight tries to thrash Bulls at Loftus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/15/all-blacks-run-in-eight-tries-to-thrash-bulls-at-loftus",
        "published": "2026-08-15T18:54:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}